Dhaka, Aug 2 (bdnews24.com) – Captors have freed five Bangladeshi workers abducted in Afghanistan seven months ago, foreign minister Dipu Moni says.
"We are very glad to inform you that the five abducted have been released this morning," the minister told a press briefing on Tuesday.
"All of them are safe and in good physical condition. They are expected to come back within a week or so," she said.
Seven Bangladeshis were kidnapped on Dec 17 when a group of miscreants attacked their camp at Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan. One Bangladeshi was also killed in the attack.
Two days later two Bangladeshis were released. They were employed at Korean construction company Samwon.
The freed Bangladeshis are Mahabub Ali of Rajshahi, Md Imam Uddin of Chittagong; and Md Aminul Islam, Md Lovelu Rahman and Md Shafiqul Alam—all three from Tangail district.
The foreign minister said the Afghan government had engaged "elders" to negotiate with their captors.
"In Afghanistan, elderly people have influence in the society and they were engaged in intense negotiation to release the Bangladeshis," she said.
When asked if any ransom was paid, the minister said: "So far I know, no ransom was paid."
About the government's move in Malaysia to bring undocumented workers under official count, the minister said two to three lakhs Bangladeshis would be legalised through the process that began on Monday.
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